A suspended drivers license temporarily prohibits drivers from operating their motor vehicles. Unlike a license revocation, a drivers license suspension can be reversed if affected drivers follow all the stipulations of the suspension. For seniors, driving with a suspended license can restrict their independence further by leading to additional traffic charges. Therefore, seniors must reinstate drivers license documents prior to driving their vehicles and learn how to avoid future suspensions. While each state has different requirements for reinstating drivers license documents, seniors should understand general reinstatement guidelines and causes for suspensions that they may encounter. A suspended senior drivers license is confiscated by local law enforcement officers immediately following an infraction, misdemeanor or felony and is a serious penalty noted on driving records. To learn how to reinstate a license and recover from a suspension, review the following sections.
Requirements for Reinstating Suspended Licenses
A drivers license suspension is issued for various reasons that may affect the reinstatement process. While a drivers license reinstatement is an involved process due to the suspension’s purpose as a punishment for seniors who disobey traffic laws, most seniors can reinstate licenses without many problems. Before requesting a reinstatement, seniors are encouraged to obtain information on their driver’s licenses by viewing their driving records. This will ensure that seniors remain informed on the status of their licenses and can maintain valid licenses while operating their vehicles. Additionally, drivers license restoration requirements are often listed in driving records and explain which type of suspension seniors have. Suspensions are usually characterized by the drivers license reinstatement period (i.e., when senior drivers are eligible to reinstate licenses) and which entity establishes the eligibility (e.g., the courts or the state’s DMV or BMV).
Court-ordered suspended drivers licenses must be identified quickly to determine reinstatement requirements and enable seniors to secure their driving privileges again. It is important to check drivers license suspension requirement, and most state motor vehicle departments will outline the steps which seniors must follow to reinstate their licenses.
Learn About the License Reinstatement Application Procedure
To recover a suspended drivers license, states require seniors to complete an application form. This drivers license reinstatement form is provided to seniors with all suspension notices and must be accompanied by reinstatement fees. Payment must be included with the document and should feature seniors’ contact information. Seniors can learn how to reinstate driver’s license documents by following the steps listed below:
- Check drivers license suspension with the local DMV or BMV to determine reinstatement eligibility.
- Obtain and complete a reinstatement form.
- Collect and attach payment to the form.
- Submit completed form and payment as instructed on the form.
- Wait for suspension period to end.
- Receive reinstated drivers license.
Information on seniors’ revoked drivers license documents is available online and in their driving records. Seniors may submit their forms and payment in multiple ways. However, some states may not permit seniors to reinstate licenses using certain methods, and some suspensions require seniors to perform additional steps to fulfill a reinstatement request.
Senior drivers may apply for a provisional drivers license if they require immediate driving privileges to commute to work, assist with childcare responsibilities or to accomplish other household tasks. While these licenses restrict driving privileges, they allow seniors with suspended drivers licenses to operate their motor vehicles under certain circumstances.
Common Reasons for License Suspension
Senior drivers may receive a drivers license suspension for many reasons. For instance, they may have committed a single traffic violation that warrants a suspended drivers license and fines. These violations may include DUIs or failure to meet insurance requirements. Additionally, senior drivers who drive with a suspended license may face extra suspension periods. Still, suspensions are commonly issued to drivers who commit multiple minor violations. License point systems help monitor the number of traffic violations seniors commit and establish limits that seniors may not surpass. For example, traffic violations resulting in the death or injury of other residents may automatically require seniors to surrender their licenses.
Reasons for a senior drivers license suspension may include violations unrelated to driving as well. If seniors do not pay or legally dispute traffic tickets, then they may be subject to suspensions. Also, failing to appear in court or submitting insufficient payments for license reinstatement may cause new or continued suspensions. Seniors currently with a suspended drivers license must be familiar with common violations that cause suspensions to ensure that they do not receive other suspensions. It is important to note that suspension periods and reinstatement fines may differ depending on the severity of the offense and the state in which the seniors reside.